Open Quantum System Theory of Muon Spin Relaxation in Materials

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Arguelles, Elvis F., Sugino, Osamu
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866910168245075968
author Arguelles, Elvis F.
Sugino, Osamu
author_facet Arguelles, Elvis F.
Sugino, Osamu
contents We present a non-Markovian theory of muon spin relaxation that treats the implanted muon as an open quantum spin coupled to a temporally correlated local magnetic environment. Using a Schwinger-Keldysh influence-functional formulation, we derive a stochastic equation of motion for the muon spin, in which the fluctuation kernel is fixed by the local-field correlation tensor, while the retarded memory torque is introduced through an effective phenomenological backaction kernel. In the appropriate limits, the theory reduces to standard Kubo-Toyabe descriptions. This enables quantitative, global analysis of zero-field (ZF) and weak longitudinal-field (LF) $μ$SR spectra beyond the strong-collision approximation. Applied to $\mathrm{Li}_{0.73}\mathrm{CoO}_2$, the model supports a decomposition into a quenched width and a Li-driven dynamical component within the adopted parametrization, and yields fluctuation rates approximately consistent with activated behavior over the intermediate-temperature window. The fitted memory parameter is most visible in the crossover between quasi-static and fast-fluctuation limits.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_23137
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Open Quantum System Theory of Muon Spin Relaxation in Materials
Arguelles, Elvis F.
Sugino, Osamu
Materials Science
Other Condensed Matter
We present a non-Markovian theory of muon spin relaxation that treats the implanted muon as an open quantum spin coupled to a temporally correlated local magnetic environment. Using a Schwinger-Keldysh influence-functional formulation, we derive a stochastic equation of motion for the muon spin, in which the fluctuation kernel is fixed by the local-field correlation tensor, while the retarded memory torque is introduced through an effective phenomenological backaction kernel. In the appropriate limits, the theory reduces to standard Kubo-Toyabe descriptions. This enables quantitative, global analysis of zero-field (ZF) and weak longitudinal-field (LF) $μ$SR spectra beyond the strong-collision approximation. Applied to $\mathrm{Li}_{0.73}\mathrm{CoO}_2$, the model supports a decomposition into a quenched width and a Li-driven dynamical component within the adopted parametrization, and yields fluctuation rates approximately consistent with activated behavior over the intermediate-temperature window. The fitted memory parameter is most visible in the crossover between quasi-static and fast-fluctuation limits.
title Open Quantum System Theory of Muon Spin Relaxation in Materials
topic Materials Science
Other Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23137